In the united kingdom, poll taxes were levied by the governments of john of gaunt in the 14th century. The tax has long been attacked as being an unfair burden upon those less able to pay. A poll tax is a tax assessed on an individual, usually as a condition of voting in an election. Although no longer a significant source of revenue for any major country, the poll tax did provide large sums for many governments until well into the 1800s.
Poll tax rebellion, precedes what i suspect will be a plethora of books on how iwethey fought the poll tax and won. In britain poll or head taxes can be traced at least to 77, when a fixed sum per head was. Mar 16, 2020 poll tax definition is a tax of a fixed amount per person levied on adults and often linked to the right to vote. The poll tax records of 77, 79 and 81 form a massive resource about individuals, their occupations, and their relationships, and therefore provide an intriguing and detailed picture of late fourteenthcentury england. Nevertheless, the local property tax government, the attempt to replace the res continued to be a source of discontent idential property tax with a community within the conservative party. Until 1782, schismatics were forced to pay twice the usual rate. The earliest example of a poll tax in england was one levied in 1275 to finance english wars. May 17, 2001 the poll tax records of 77, 79 and 81 form a massive resource about individuals, their occupations, and their relationships, and therefore provide an intriguing and detailed picture of late fourteenthcentury england. Plus, two decades ago, more than 100,000 people protest a controversial tax in london.
Poll tax by definition is a tax, of uniform amount levied on each individual, or head 1 and dates back to 14th century england. Although periods of great upheaval occurred from the time of the norman conquest to the beginning of the 20th century, the line of connection is almost entirely unbroken. Peasants revolt, also called wat tylers rebellion, 81, first great popular rebellion in english history. The charge was replaced by council tax in 1993, two years after its abolition was announced. Poll tax rebellion, precedes what i suspect will be a plethora of books on how i wethey fought the poll tax and won. Poll tax rebellion danny burns full scanned version of the definitive grassroots history of the mass working class movement which defeated margaret thatchers poll tax. Many translated example sentences containing poll tax frenchenglish dictionary and search engine for french translations.
History book the gremlin and a poll tax world radio blog. The impact of taxes on the course of civilization, 2nd edition adams, charles on. A southern expedient to keep blacks from participating in primary elections. To reinstate white voters who may have failed the literacy test or could not pay the poll tax, several southern states added the grandfather clauseto their constitutions. This chapter draws heavily on the ifss survey of the uk tax system, which is updated annually and was itself originally based on the uk. The poll tax and census of sheep, 1549 early modern england. Information about poll tax in the dictionary, synonyms and antonyms. Public users are able to search the site and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter without a subscription. To the colored men of voting age in the southern states. The poll taxes of 77, 79 and 81 in searchworks catalog. In the united states a similar tax based on the right to vote was struck down in 1964 with the 24th amendment. If you have purchased a print title that contains an access token, please see the token for information about how to register your code. Poll tax article about poll tax by the free dictionary.
Mahoney is adjunct professor of history at ripon college and visiting assistant professor of history at lawrence university. It is based on the idea that everyone pays the same amount of tax. History of taxes in the middle ages fair taxation was a key issue for many english citizens during the medieval period. A poll tax, also known as head tax or capitation, is a tax levied as a fixed sum on every liable. The community charge, commonly known as the poll tax, was a system of taxation introduced in replacement of domestic rates in scotland from 1989, prior to its introduction in england and wales from 1990. Fair taxation was a key issue for many english citizens during the medieval period. Complexity has long been a feature of taxation in the uk. Previously, medieval data with national coverage have not been available for a study of surname distribution, but with the recent publication of the fourteenthcentury poll tax returns, this has changed. This also means that married women in general are not recorded with any surname, but are instead described as uxor ejus.
All produce generated from the dedicated portion of land was taken as a tax. In the united states, most discussion of the poll tax has centred on its use as a mechanism. A journal of quantitative and interdisciplinary history on 22 january 2015, available online. Like the english poll tax, the french capitation tax was assessed on rank for taxation persons. Several countries utilized poll taxes throughout history, though they have not been very popular. The following names are taken from the 81 poll tax of su olk found in 1. Although often associated with states of the former confederate states of america, poll taxes were also in place in some northern and western states, including california, connecticut, maine, massachusetts, minnesota, new hampshire, ohio, pennsylvania, vermont and wisconsin. His domesday book is clear evidence of the meticulous record of land. One of the earliest taxes mentioned in the bible of a halfshekel per annum from each adult jew ex. The poll tax or community charge was supposed to make local council finance fairer and more accountable. Ippr, the institute for public policy research, is the uks leading progressive think tank.
The fourteenthcentury poll tax returns and the study of english surname distribution parkin, harry home. The english poll taxes of 77, 79, and 81 taxed householders, wives, dependants, and servants individually. Using a combination of photos, text, and graphics, and drawing from the voices of activists and nonpayers, it describes the everyday organisation of local anti poll tax groups and chronicles the demonstrations and riots leading. The tax records therefore provide information about people who are rarely, if ever, mentioned in other documents frequently including details. Pdf mass taxation and statesociety relations in east africa. A political history of the poll tax in virginia, 19001950. Using a combination of photos, text, and graphics, and drawing from the voices of activists and nonpayers, it describes the everyday organization of local anti poll tax groups and chronicles the demonstrations and riots leading up to the battle of. And, as with the poll tax history, the abolition of this wealth barrier to our democracy will require a reversal of prior supreme court rulings. Perhaps the most revolutionary changes occurred in. Poll tax united states in the united states, payment of a poll tax was a prerequisite to the registration for voting in a number of states. Matt ford, the new republic, mississippi quotes john roberts to. The poll tax the literacy test, and the actions of the kkk were all attempts to limit the effectiveness of. Lessons from the british poll tax disaster peter smith abstract persuaded the central government to imas a means of financing british local plement reforms. In march 1549 parliament granted edward vi the proceeds of a tax on sheep coupled with a purchase tax on cloth.
Initially, the tax was assessed at 80 kopeks per person per year. In the us, generally used today to refer to taxes that must be paid in order to vote, with high risk of confusion if used for head tax. Most citizens were subject to a poll tax, which was a flat tax on every adult in a jurisdiction, as well as property and church taxes. Of the poll taxes in english history, the most famous was the one levied in 80, a main cause of the peasants revolt of 81, led by wat tyler. Poll tax simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. For more information on richard murphy and his books, see his website. The tax rolls are written in latin, so the given names have been latinized, though the surnames have not. Choose from 58 different sets of poll tax flashcards on quizlet. It made it easier for africanamericans and non english speaking citizens to vote.
The history of the english fiscal system affords the best known example of continuous financial development in terms of both institutions and methods. Search the history of over 424 billion web pages on the internet. Of the poll taxes in english history, the most famous was the one levied in 80. Wilma dykeman is a novelist, historian, and chronicler of the south eastern mountain country. Poll taxes enacted in southern states between 1889 and 1910 had the effect of disenfranchising many blacks as well as poor whites, because payment of the tax was a prerequisite for voting. Black as well as white sharecroppers were often too poor to pay the poll tax. A poll tax is a tax levied as a fixed sum on every liable individual. But first, 50 years ago this week, a small american automaker goes fendertofender with foreign imports. A poll tax was sometimes regarded as a revenue measure, primarily in the colonial period.
This book tells the gripping inside story of the biggest mass movement in british history, which at its peak involved over 17 million people. The total amount of the poll tax was determined by the sum needed to maintain the army. Please subscribe or login to access full text content. These photographs document the local history of marfa and the surrounding area, as well as local families and the ghost town of shafter. This quiz and corresponding worksheet gauge your understanding of what a poll tax is and the laws that eventually abolished its use in the united states of america. To be convincing, estimates of english medieval population must be able to encompass both the crosssectional evidence for a number of benchmark years, including most obviously the domesday book evidence for 1086 and the poll tax returns of 77, as well as the timeseries evidence amassed by scholars over the years from diverse sources. A poll tax is a tax levied as a prerequisite for voting. Mar 24, 2016 like the poll tax of the past, this barrier the wealth primary blocks millions of voters from participating in the political process on an equal basis. Proper usage and audio pronunciation plus ipa phonetic transcription of the word poll tax.
The impact of taxes on the course of civilization, 2nd edition. This document is available to download as a free pdf and in other formats at. Six full years after the poll taxs demise, an estimated 4,000,000 people who declined to pay as much as. Instead it triggered civil disobedience and riots and a rebellion in the conservative party. Peasants revolt, 81, first great popular rebellion in english history. The fourteenthcentury poll tax returns and the study of english surname distribution. The poll tax was imposed again by william iii and mary ii in 1689 1 will. Among her books are the french broad in the rivers of america series, the border states. The first, pursued through a history of poll taxes in tanzania and uganda, is to. The tax emerged in some states of the united states in the late 19th century as part of the jim crow laws. As data on the number of taxpayers became more precise, the poll tax on peasants was first lowered to 74 and then to 70 kopeks.
Pages in category taxation the following 36 pages are in this category, out of 36 total. Poll tax rebellion sage journals sage publications. The poll tax protests and rebellion, 19051906 the other. This explains the history and existing records of early english taxes. A poll tax, also called a per capita tax, or capitation tax, is a tax that levies a set amount per individual. University of north texas libraries browse structure. Poll taxes are illegal in the united states as they discourage the poor and, in some cases, racial minorities from voting. In order to register, must be able to read and write article of the constitution of the united states, and must be en. Not long ago, citizens in some states had to pay a fee to vote in a national election. In the united states, the poll tax has been connected with voting rights.
Must be registered and hold a certificate of registration. Reward, probability, benefit, cost basically says you have little to no benefit to voting. It provided for a single flatrate percapita tax on every adult, at a rate set by the local authority. The 24th amendment ended the poll tax americas library. Together with the poll tax there might also have been a literacy test to determine whether the applicant voter could read and interpret the u. The warren court and the civilrights movement swept away poll taxes and literacy tests in the 1960s. Voting rights act of 1965 simple english wikipedia, the.
In 2015, islamic terrorists attack a college in kenya. Head taxes were important sources of revenue for many governments from ancient times until the 19th century. Several countries utilized poll taxes throughout history, though they have. Poll tax has continued in many forms through to modern history. Al gore wins the nations popular vote, but george w. The poll tax is a type of tax that is levied on the individuals based irrespective of their income and wealth. To better understand the history of the tax, we must take a moment to look back further in history to the origins of feudalism. The voting rights act of 1965 is a law of the united states. Poll tax, in english history, a tax of a uniform amount levied on each individual, or head.
The purpose of the poll tax was to make it difficult for all poor people to vote. A poll tax, also known as head tax or capitation, is a tax levied as a fixed sum on every liable individual. A bicentennial history, all dealing with the land and the people for which the battle of kings mountain was fought. The poll tax was imposed again in 1692, and one final time in 1698 the last poll tax in england until the 20th century. Danny burns was secretary of the avon federation of antipoll tax unions and.
List of books and articles about poll tax online research. After reconstruction 18651877the twelveyear period of rebuilding that followed the american civil war 18611865many southern states passed poll taxes in an effort to keep african americans from voting. The green paper of 1986, paying for local government, produced by the department of the environment set out the proposed tax. Mar 18, 2016 recalling an era when the color of your skin meant you paid to vote celebrating the 50th anniversary of a ruling that made the poll tax unconstitutional. For the first time in united states history, in a close and controversial election, the president of the united states is chosen based on a decision by the u.
The gripping inside story of the biggest mass movement in british history, which at its peak involved over 17 million people. Full scanned version of the definitive grassroots history of the mass working class. The community charge, commonly known as the poll tax, was a system of taxation introduced. This book tells the gripping inside story of the biggest mass movement in british history, which at its peak. Poll tax rebellion by danny burns goodreads share book. The fourteenthcentury poll tax returns and the study of. The national opposition to the poll tax especially vehement in the north of england and scotland was the major factor. Persons over fortyfive years of age are exempt from poll tax. In some parts of the united states, people were forced to pay a poll tax or take a literacy test before being allowed to vote. The poll tax article about the poll tax by the free. The poll tax was a fixed tax per adult resident, although there was a reduction for poorer people, for. Its immediate cause was the imposition of the unpopular poll tax of 81, which brought to a head the economic discontent that had been growing since the middle of the century. In the last few years of margaret thatchers reign as british prime minister, she received heavy opposition and mass riots were held when she tried to have poll tax used as the tax system.